January 31, 2008

“If you’re troubled by something outside yourself, it isn’t the thing itself that bothers you, but your opinion of it, and this opinion you have the power to revoke immediately. If what troubles you arises from some flaw in your character or disposition, who prevents you from correcting the flaw? If it’s your failure to do some good or necessary work that frustrates you, why not put your energy into doing it rather than fretting about it?
‘But something stronger than I prevents me.’
Then don’t worry. It isn’t your responsibility to do what you lack the power to do.
‘But if it isn’t done, life isn’t worth living.’
Then quit this life in peace, as one who dies full of good works and forgiveness for those who opposed him.”*

.

Epictetus quote:

“Do not become a greater coward than the children, but just say as they say, ‘I won’t play any longer,’ when the thing does not please them, so do you also, when things seem to you to have reached that stage, merely say, ‘I won’t play any longer,’ and take your departure; but if you stay, stop lamenting.”*